We're now a minivan family

We did it, we became a minivan family! We didn't think this would ever be necessary since we had a vehicle with 3 rows with seating for 7 (a Ford Freestyle bought for the purpose of holding our growing family), but we recently rearranged the car seats to install the infant car seat base (getting ready because we're running out of time and we are busy practically every weekend, all weekend long, until the due date). Well, it's a good thing we decided to do it when we did because it didn't work like we assumed it would. Basically we couldn't access the 3rd row where Mykenzi would be sitting because the seat couldn't fold down with Camden's car seat and the infant car seat next to each other. Prior to that we knew space was going to be an issue (for example, there was only enough storage behind the 3rd row for the stroller and that's it, so going anywhere, grocery shopping or trips to BJs where we buy large packages of paper towels, toilet paper, diapers and such or just going where ever, would have been difficult), but had decided to deal with it and if necessary in the very distant future we would get a new vehicle to hold us better. Really, Jonmark is the one in desperate need of a new truck, and we've been looking for months, even passed up what we didn't realize were great deals at the time (can't find those deals now), and now here we've had to trade in mine for something that will work for a family of 5 better (when 3 of 5 are in car seats - those things are take up a lot of room). So far though we are all very happy with the Honda Odyssey, and Jonmark and I are glad we made the switch. It's not only comfortable and rides very nice, but it's more convenient. We have tons of storage all throughout the van, and the room behind the 3rd row is unbelievable (grocery shopping and stocking up at BJ's the same day with a double stroller in the back will no longer be a problem). Mykenzi is able to get herself in and out (loves the power sliding doors, and so do we), and Camden is up higher so we don't have to bend over so much to get him in and out.

It wasn't easy finding a Honda Odyssey or any minivans really. There were 3 Honda Odysseys total in Fredericksburg on Monday, and none of them had what we really needed, adjustable pedals (being barely 5'0" tall the adjustable pedals help me get the distance I need from the steering wheel). We were so happy when we found this one with the adjustable pedals, it's in excellent shape, same year as our old car (2006), and with less than half the miles we had on the old car.

Mykenzi loves the headphones for the DVD player. We had these with the DVD player in the Freestyle, but I guess we just never thought to show them to her since she didn't like them when we first bought the Freestyle just before she turned 2. Now it's great because while Camden enjoys watching DVDs when he's awake, he's just about always asleep if the car is rolling, so now we can give her the headphones and actually listen to the radio or even TALK to each other!

Her review of the new minivan! She was very uncertain at first about us giving our car to someone for something to hold us all better, but once she climbed up in a minivan she thought she was on a playground! She was glad to make the trade. The day we finally did it we also had a play date with her friend at the park, and she couldn't wait to show it to her!

If Camden's sleeping, then it rolls just right for him!

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Aside from rearranging the seats (they're both in the middle row right now) and installing the infant car seat, we just have to add the VT Alumni decal (originally purchased last summer for Jonmark's truck, but we're hoping to get him a new truck before the end of the year, so it's never made it on his truck). We're figuring there are so many Odysseys on the road that we might need that decal to identify ours from the others!